The over-use and misuse of antibiotics are leading to a global crisis–superbugs. The term “superbug” sounds like the latest Marvel superhero, but unfortunately that’s not the case. The term refers to drug-resistant pathogens that are causing difficult to treat infections across the world. According to Deutsche Welle some superbugs are so untreatable, entire hospitals have had to shut down to control their spread. It’s frightening to know that modern medicine is not as invincible as one might think. Superbugs such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida auris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are taking over.
Deutsche Welle compiled a list of the 7 deadliest superbugs, all severe threats to human health. The prettiest, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is nicknamed “nightmare bug”. This pathogen can thrive in moist or wet places and one of the hardest bacteria to eradicate. It’s usually only found in people with weakened immune systems, but healthy people can get skin and ear infections from contaminated water. Another common superbug is Neisseria gonorrhea, yes gonorrhea is a superbug. This STD is growing increasingly resistant to antibiotics and there’s no vaccine for it. Always wear condoms!!
Superbugs are not a far-away issue, they’re found in countries of all income levels. According to CNN, global health organizations are beginning to ban together and take action creating the One Health initiative. This aims to create global strategies to prevent the spread and creation of superbugs. If we don’t get these superbugs under control soon, there will be an estimated 10 million deaths from antibiotic resistant pathogens by 2030. That’s larger than the entire population of New York City…The leading cause of these superbugs are misuse of antibiotics. Finish your prescriptions people!! So often people are prescribed a round of antibiotics and stop taking them when their symptoms go away. Additionally, our food industry pumps antibiotics into livestock as growth promoters (80% of antibiotics used in the US are not by humans. This is not natural…
What CAN we do to prevent superbugs? Stop using antibiotics in meat and fish products, finish antibiotic prescriptions, and VACCINATE!!
Microbiology with Isabel 